Too Darn Hot! Cut the Heat in Spicy Foods

Spicy foods are delicious. But, your body may not share your enthusiasm for hot stuff.

If you're sensitive to spicy foods, you may consider having smaller portions or using less spice.

Another tip is to have some avocado before embarking on a spicy culinary journey. Avocado can coat the stomach and make it easier to handle the hot foods. The healthy fats in avocados help the digestive process.

Use fruit and/or complex carbs as an appetizer in order to get your stomach ready for a spicy adventure. Mix up a fruit-based salsa to calm down the spiciness. Lime juice is great for digesting spicy peppers.

Incorporate fresh herbs into your dishes for a peppery flavor without irritating your digestive system with actual peppers. Consider using cumin, cilantro, thyme and paprika.

Finally, make your own sofrito, a spice base using a blender. Take equal parts of cilantro, onion, red pepper, green pepper and tomatillo. Add a small portion of parsley (to cut the heat of the peppers), oregano and thyme. Add avocado oil and puree. Add lime and puree for an additional 20 seconds. Store in jars and use throughout the week. Sofrito can serve as a meat rub, salsa, salad dressing or fresh fruit glaze. Freeze it in ice cube trays and put the cubes in a freezer bag as a starter for sauces and soups.

Adding flavor to your food can help satiate that need for spice. You might enjoy using a simple herbal rub on your meats and vegetables.

Ingredients:

• salt
• black pepper
• cinnamon
• pumpkin spice
• nutmeg
• turmeric
• curry powder

Mix these up in a container. See how these flavors contribute to your meals. This is a great blend for autumn.

Ingredients

• salt
• pepper
• garlic powder
• cumin
• oregano
• thyme

Mix these up in a container. The longer it sits, the more potent the flavors become.

Listen in as Chef Ronaldo Linares shares how you can enjoy spicy tastes without upsetting your tummy.

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Real Salt